Democracy for Arabs?
An account on the democratization process in the Arab world and its obstacles
Middle East democratic progress, one of the United States’ most key objectives, which had aroused hopes about the future of middle, has now stalled due to legal-political maneuvers and paradigm shift of regional leaders.
Some analysts believe that political upsurge of Islamist groups, the Iraqi crisis and the continuance of some policies by Middle East leaders has brought the democratic process to a standstill.
In Egypt, while Husni Mubarak finally decided to run multi-candidate presidential elections, it’s been for two years that he has delayed city council elections fearing that the Islamist Muslim Brotherhood would win substantial seats. The Egyptian government has not meanwhile stopped its repressive measures against this political alternative.
In Jordan, King Abdullah had once issued an order for political reforms and democratization. But a new document showing how the establishment is hindering the process has frustrated pro-democracy groups.
Also in Qatar, up to 2007 parliamentary elections were successively postponed. In Yemen, before the presidential poll the government carries out intimidating measures against media and journalists. In Saudi Arabia, Malek Abdullah has rejected elections for the consultative council. A critic, Muhsen el-Ouji, has questioned about the boundaries of Abdullah’s political freedom.
U.S. officials do not deny the obstacles in the way of political progress in Middle East. However, they don’t think failures discredit their approach. In most Middle East Arab states, monarchies rule who are not able to handle the rapid population growth and development needs of their country.
Since the 9/11 attacks, the Bush administration decided to stage a democratization process in Middle East in order to offset the radicalism spread across the region. Arab governments, facing increasing protests inside the country, promised for democracy and implemented some related measures. However, today they say that reform is an extended process.
But when they talk of reform, they look at the economic side. Economic growth in these countries is chiefly due to increase of oil price. With expensive barrels, the political systems do not really feel willing to launch political reform plans.
The democratic process in the Arab world has always been a serious concern of the global community in different regional and international conferences. The Arab public opinion asks for enactment of democratic standards to eventually have modern, progressive governments. And in this way they have the support of international public opinion.
Development is now a global target. Despite its substantial oil revenue, the Arab world is now facing three crises in its development. Contiguity to east Africa which suffers malnutrition has had its direct effects on the Arab world.
Bird flue and its economic aftermath, plus fatal diseases such as AIDS are serious health concerns for this part of the world. War against terrorism, resistance to hegemonic policies of global powers, nuclear technology and fight against proliferation of WMDS are some global issues which are also a matter of concern for Middle East Arab countries.
The situation of religious minorities in the Arab world is traced by the world. Religious minorities struggle to preserve their cultural identity and gain equal rights. These are problems which the Arab leaders should pay due attention to.
When the White House talks of democracy in the Arab world, pro-democracy forces become disillusioned instead of enthused. United States’ dual behavior vis-à-vis Palestinians and Israelis, and its tolerance towards authoritarian Arab states is the reason for this frustration.
In other words, Arabs do not follow the models proposed by other countries and their leaders may have in mind that a one-size-fits-all policy is not applicable, but hazardous. Popular ideologies should be taken account of during the democratization process in this part of the world. In many countries, efforts to reorganize an opposition party were disguised as ’reform’.
Based on studies carried out by Western countries, establishing democracy is easier in those countries enjoying better economic conditions.
Democracy has consecutively appeared on the agenda of Arab leaders in was in some cases materialized in certain aspects. However, the process froze after some years. Democratization was a national project in Egypt, Syria and Lebanon during the 1930s and 1940s but after two decades, it lost significance as a national concern and after decades, in these countries democracy means nothing other than political shows by ineffective parties.
But why has democracy failed in these countries? Several conditions should be met before democracy is established in a country. Most importantly, it must be demanded by the public after the failure of a certain undemocratic political system. Unfortunately, democracy is not yet a favorite option for the Arab world.
According to the weekly Economist, up to 2002 the Arab world must have created 50 million new job opportunities for its younger generation. The current situation makes us think of that as an unattainable goal. Meanwhile, the private sector wants a bigger share of the economy. The satellite revolution has also made Arab nation assertive.
United Nations latest report on the development progress in different countries is disappointing. In six Arab countries parties are either banned of straitjacketed by restrictive laws. Meanwhile, these countries have failed to improve the economic circumstances of their people. Despite the oil revenue, 2 in every five Arabs live with an income of less than two dollars in day. Over-powerful security forces intimidate the citizens and government keeps ignoring its younger generation.
In Egypt, Husni Mubarak has ruled for 28 years. In Libya, Qaddafi has been in power since 1969. When Hafez Asad died after three decades of presidency, his son succeeded to power. After Bush and his failed democratization plan, Barack Obama is talking of mutual respect with the Muslim world. Since Obama’s presidency the United States has improved its position in the eye of Arab public opinion, but if Arabs want democracy, they have to achieve it themselves.
Some analysts believe that political upsurge of Islamist groups, the Iraqi crisis and the continuance of some policies by Middle East leaders has brought the democratic process to a standstill.
In Egypt, while Husni Mubarak finally decided to run multi-candidate presidential elections, it’s been for two years that he has delayed city council elections fearing that the Islamist Muslim Brotherhood would win substantial seats. The Egyptian government has not meanwhile stopped its repressive measures against this political alternative.
In Jordan, King Abdullah had once issued an order for political reforms and democratization. But a new document showing how the establishment is hindering the process has frustrated pro-democracy groups.
Also in Qatar, up to 2007 parliamentary elections were successively postponed. In Yemen, before the presidential poll the government carries out intimidating measures against media and journalists. In Saudi Arabia, Malek Abdullah has rejected elections for the consultative council. A critic, Muhsen el-Ouji, has questioned about the boundaries of Abdullah’s political freedom.
U.S. officials do not deny the obstacles in the way of political progress in Middle East. However, they don’t think failures discredit their approach. In most Middle East Arab states, monarchies rule who are not able to handle the rapid population growth and development needs of their country.
Since the 9/11 attacks, the Bush administration decided to stage a democratization process in Middle East in order to offset the radicalism spread across the region. Arab governments, facing increasing protests inside the country, promised for democracy and implemented some related measures. However, today they say that reform is an extended process.
But when they talk of reform, they look at the economic side. Economic growth in these countries is chiefly due to increase of oil price. With expensive barrels, the political systems do not really feel willing to launch political reform plans.
The democratic process in the Arab world has always been a serious concern of the global community in different regional and international conferences. The Arab public opinion asks for enactment of democratic standards to eventually have modern, progressive governments. And in this way they have the support of international public opinion.
Development is now a global target. Despite its substantial oil revenue, the Arab world is now facing three crises in its development. Contiguity to east Africa which suffers malnutrition has had its direct effects on the Arab world.
Bird flue and its economic aftermath, plus fatal diseases such as AIDS are serious health concerns for this part of the world. War against terrorism, resistance to hegemonic policies of global powers, nuclear technology and fight against proliferation of WMDS are some global issues which are also a matter of concern for Middle East Arab countries.
The situation of religious minorities in the Arab world is traced by the world. Religious minorities struggle to preserve their cultural identity and gain equal rights. These are problems which the Arab leaders should pay due attention to.
When the White House talks of democracy in the Arab world, pro-democracy forces become disillusioned instead of enthused. United States’ dual behavior vis-à-vis Palestinians and Israelis, and its tolerance towards authoritarian Arab states is the reason for this frustration.
In other words, Arabs do not follow the models proposed by other countries and their leaders may have in mind that a one-size-fits-all policy is not applicable, but hazardous. Popular ideologies should be taken account of during the democratization process in this part of the world. In many countries, efforts to reorganize an opposition party were disguised as ’reform’.
Based on studies carried out by Western countries, establishing democracy is easier in those countries enjoying better economic conditions.
Democracy has consecutively appeared on the agenda of Arab leaders in was in some cases materialized in certain aspects. However, the process froze after some years. Democratization was a national project in Egypt, Syria and Lebanon during the 1930s and 1940s but after two decades, it lost significance as a national concern and after decades, in these countries democracy means nothing other than political shows by ineffective parties.
But why has democracy failed in these countries? Several conditions should be met before democracy is established in a country. Most importantly, it must be demanded by the public after the failure of a certain undemocratic political system. Unfortunately, democracy is not yet a favorite option for the Arab world.
According to the weekly Economist, up to 2002 the Arab world must have created 50 million new job opportunities for its younger generation. The current situation makes us think of that as an unattainable goal. Meanwhile, the private sector wants a bigger share of the economy. The satellite revolution has also made Arab nation assertive.
United Nations latest report on the development progress in different countries is disappointing. In six Arab countries parties are either banned of straitjacketed by restrictive laws. Meanwhile, these countries have failed to improve the economic circumstances of their people. Despite the oil revenue, 2 in every five Arabs live with an income of less than two dollars in day. Over-powerful security forces intimidate the citizens and government keeps ignoring its younger generation.
In Egypt, Husni Mubarak has ruled for 28 years. In Libya, Qaddafi has been in power since 1969. When Hafez Asad died after three decades of presidency, his son succeeded to power. After Bush and his failed democratization plan, Barack Obama is talking of mutual respect with the Muslim world. Since Obama’s presidency the United States has improved its position in the eye of Arab public opinion, but if Arabs want democracy, they have to achieve it themselves.